The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-19
DANGER OF A BOYCOTT.
ACTION OF THE NATIONAL UNDER
WRITER'S ASSOCIATION

Rates on Cotton to be Largely In
creased Unless Fires are Less FIRE.
quent - Threatened Withdrawal of
the Companies-The City's Protection
of the Wharves- Danger in Uncov-
cred Lighters.
The alarming frequency of cotton fires on
board of loaded or nearly loaded vessels,
and the threatened boycott Of the port by
the National Underwriters Association un
less immediate measures are taken to pre-
vent their recurrence, is causing good deal
Of stir among cotton men.
The action of the Cotton Exchange last
week in urging rigid enforcement of the
city ordinances in regard to smoking on
ship-board and on the wharves, and the CO.
operation of the railroad companies and
cotton presses was the initial step towards
diminishing the danger
NO SMOKING ON THE wHARvEs
The city has taken measures to rigidly en-
force the ordinances in regard to smoking
on or near the wharves, and is doing all it
can to protect the cotton and vessels. The
losses from cotton fires here within the past
two weeks foot up nearly $500, 900, and the
j. n. johnson received the following tele
gram yesterday addressed to Maj II. 7. Bolts
from the Secretary of the National Under
writers Association, saying that unless
something is done at once to reduce the
risk Savannah will be declared an extra
hazardous port, or protection will be with
drawn altogether:
THE UNDERWRITERS ACT.
New YosK, Oct H. 1887.
To Henry z. Bolts Savannah, Ga:
At @ general meeting of the cotton under
writers held here to-day it was resolved that we
thank the Cotton Exchange and Chamber of
Commerce of Savannah tor the efforts they
are making to stop the recurrence of fires
In vessels loading cotton at their port,
but that in the meantime, unless we
are satisfied at early date, that the danger is
diminished, prompt measures Will be taken to
largely increase rates on cotton from Savannah,
or TO withdraw all protection; and it was further
resolved that this action be cabled Lloyds and
Liverpool underwriters. Please communicate
this to the Cotton Exchange and Chamber of
Commerce. j. RAYMOND SMITH, Secretary.
PROMPT MEASURES TAKEN.
Mr.. johnson at once communicated with
the Cotton Exchange and with committee
from the City Council with view to Sc
curing prompt and effective action. To
boycott the port, he said, means to take
away every bale of cotton next season and
to totally destroy business
One of the principal sources of danger
is the transportation of cotton up
and down the river on uncovered
lighters. This matter was placed before
Gen. Alexander Monday night, and yester-
day morning President Smith, of the
Lighterage Company, was notified
that the Ocean Steamship Com
pany will hereafter receive no more
cotton from uncovered lighters. A confer
ence was held yesterday between Mr.. Smith
and Gen. Alexander, but no adjustment
was reached. The equipment of the Light
erage Companys vessels with tarpaulin
covers will involve an outlay of several
thousand dollars, which the company is I'M
willing TO undertake under its present con-
| tract with the railroad.
A NECESSARY PROTECTION.
The protection of cotton while being
transported along the wharves, from sparks
| from passing tugs and steamers, the under
writers consider one of the most important
| steps to be taken toward reducing the risk.
When this is done, and smoking on the
| vessels and wharves is stopped, the danger
will be greatly reduced, and there WILL in
all probability, be fewer fires
The Cotton Press Association has Endorsed
the action of the Cotton Exchange in its
efforts to lessen the frequency of fires, and
| the city authorities hope, with the co-opera-
| tion of the railroads. cotton presses and
wharf owners to prevent recurrence of the
losses which have been sustained during the
| past two or three weeks.
Two arrests were made yesterday of
negroes for smoking on the wharves, and
| they will be before the police court this
morning.